If your toilet is malfunctioning or not working properly, it is often better to completely replace it. Although it may sound like a difficult task at first, it’s possible to do it yourself as long as you have the right tools for the job.
Replace The Toilet By Yourself
In this guide, we will explain how to replace toilet and carefully guide you on the process. We will also give you a list of tools you will need.
Tools You Will Need
For toilet installation, there are some specific tools you need to simplify the process. These include:
Working Tools
1. Putty Knife
Although regular knives can work, a putty knife is the best for this type of task as they have an easier time removing seals. Razor blades can also work as a substitute if you don’t have a putty knife.
2. Level
Levels help make installation easier as they make sure you are not putting parts out of alignment. So, they help prevent collapse or leaking.
3. Wrenches
You will require wrenches to both loosen and tighten bolts. Make sure you have the proper sized monkey wrench for your toilet.
4. Sponge
Before you can change out your previous toilet, you will need to disconnect the water supply and clean up any water in the tank. A sponge helps to make this particular task a breeze.
5. Saw
Though not always needed, sometimes you will need to cut or hack off parts to remove your old toilet.
Safety Tools
1. Safety Gloves
Although replacing a toilet isn’t a dangerous task, it is still best to protect your hands while working by wearing proper safety or work gloves.
Though the main reason you’re going to use safety gloves is to prevent your hands from getting wet.
2. Safety Glasses
If you’re sawing some parts, it is recommended to wear safety glasses to protect your eyes. The glasses will also help prevent water from getting into your eyes during a leak.
Materials
1. Replacement Toilet Set
To successfully replace your toilet, you should make sure you have a spare one with an extra wax ring and assorted nuts and bolts.
In some cases, you might need a replacement flange or repair kit if the flange becomes damaged during replacement.
2. Caulk
Caulk helps to make the attachment easier and eliminates gaps. It helps to seal off leaks.
However, when applying caulk, ensure the area to be applied is adequately cleaned and remove any dust or debris. The dust or debris might end up mixing and damaging the seal.
How to Replace Your Toilet
Before you can get to replacing a toilet, you need to do a few key things. The first is planning and allocating space for the new toilet you want to install.
The second is removing it. We’ll outline the processes starting with the planning phase.
Planning Out the Installation
When you’re buying a new toilet, you need to make sure you have properly planned out the toilet installation.
Use a measuring tape to correctly measure out the dimensions of the area for the installation. Make sure to measure from the wall for the best accuracy. Installing near a corner allows for easier planning.
The other part of the planning procedure lies in making sure your water lines are accounted for. It would be best if you made sure you can properly connect the water lines to the new toilet.
Removing the Old Toilet
Once you’ve made the proper measurements and planned out the water line connection, it is time to remove the old toilet.
One thing you’ll need to remember about removing the old toilet is that there will be water flowing out, so the surrounding area will get wet. So, follow the below-mentioned steps for proper removal.
- Turn Off the Water Supply
First, you need to close the water supply to your toilet. After that, you will want to drain the water from the tank. After draining, soak up any excess water with a sponge or towel. You can make use of a bucket to catch any dripping water.
- Remove the Water Tank
Use a wrench to unscrew the nuts near the water tank. Once unscrewed, hold the tank slowly and adequately lift it and place the tank on the ground carefully. Water can leak out if you haven’t adequately dried the tank, so be careful during this.
- Remove the Water Bowl
Next, use the wrench to unscrew the bolts holding the water bowl in place. After unscrewing them, you can lift the bowl. It is important to note that the bottom of the bowl will be pretty wet, so make sure to have a dry mat to place it on.
- Discard the Wax Ring
After removing the water bowl, you’ll notice a ring connecting to the sewage line. This is the wax ring, and you’ll need to replace it along with your toilet.
To remove it, you need to use a putty knife to remove the wax around the ring. After that, you can remove the closet bolts and then take away the ring.
After doing all these steps, you will have successfully removed your old toilet.
The sewage line will be open during this time, and you can use a rag or towel to block off the smell if it happens to bother you. Now you can work towards installing a toilet.
Installing The New Toilet
Make sure you have the right tools and the replacement at hand before you begin the process. Follow the steps below to understand how to install a toilet:
- Place the New Wax Ring
If required, repair the flange or adjust the seal with silicone. Then place the new bolts and washers on the flange. After that, you can attach the wax ring. Make sure to look out for any gaps and be sure to seal them off with wax or caulk.
- Place the Toilet Bowl Down
After placing the wax ring, take the new toilet bowl and carefully place it down, making sure the closet bolts are correctly aligned.
Press down on the bowl until it is firmly secure and is touching the wall. You can use a level to check if the bowl is properly in place or not.
- Secure Bolts on the Bowl
After using a level to make sure the bowl is set correctly, you can use a wrench to tighten the nuts. Make sure not to tighten them too hard, or it might damage the bowl.
- Attach the Water Tank
Once the toilet bowl is appropriately in place, you can work on attaching the water tank. Attach the rubber gasket to the base.
Then slowly place the tank on top of the bowl, making sure it is level. After ensuring a level tank, you can work on attaching the nuts on the base of the tank with a wrench.
- Reconnect the Water Supply
After the tank is set, connect the water supply to it. Tighten the pipe and then turn on the supply. Make sure to watch out for any leaks and seal them off with caulk. Flush the toilet and properly adjust the wax seal.
- Install the Toilet Seat
Finally, you can place the toilet seat and then use a screwdriver to attach it in place. Move the flap up and down to check if the screws are properly tightened or not.
With this, your toilet replacement is complete. Most importantly, you want to flush the toilet and check for any leaks. If there are none, then your installation is complete.
Tips for Toilet Replacement
We have included a few tips to help you with toilet replacement. Keep these in mind:
- Use Toilet Shims
If your toilet is rocking or unsteady, even after installation, you can use toilet shims. Place these near the base and attach them with tape.
They will help stabilize your new toilet, and you can cut off excess parts of the shims with a saw to make them less visible.
- Use Wax-Free Rings
You can use wax-free rings instead of wax rings during installation. You do not need to make use of wax to connect and seal the ring.
- Use Metal Cutting Wheel
If you need to cut off the flange to replace it with a new flange, it’s best to use a metal cutting wheel for the easiest time.
Final Words
Has our guide on how to replace toilet proved helpful? Hopefully, yes.
It is not a difficult task, but proper planning is required. Having a helping hand to assist you in the heavy lifting will also make it much smoother. It would help if you were careful of leaks during the replacement process.
